The Executive Chairman of Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State, Mrs Euphemia Nwali has vowed strict monitoring of the free agriculture inputs distributed to the rural farmers to boost food security in the area.
Nwali, who expressed has administration's renewed push to boost food security and agricultural productivity, made the declaration Tuesday at Onueke, the Ezza South council headquarters after the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, officially flagged off the distribution of farm inputs for the 2025 wet farming season.
She applauded Governor Nwifuru for prioritizing agriculture and pledged strict monitoring to ensure that the farm inputs are used effectively and reach the right beneficiaries during the exercise which brought together stakeholders, traditional rulers, farmers, and government officials,
According to her, the distributed items including fertilizers, improved rice seeds, and agrochemicals were provided through the support of the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s agricultural development initiative.
“We appreciate our Governor for empowering our farmers with fertilizer, rice, and agrochemicals. I assure our people that these items will not be diverted. We are putting measures in place to ensure proper use,” she stated.
Mrs. Nwali, who noted that Ezza South is one of the leading agricultural hubs in Ebonyi State, announced the formation of a local task force to monitor the distribution and prevent the misuse or resale of the inputs.
“Every year, I establish a task force to track these inputs. If any individual or community is caught selling what was given freely, we will retrieve it. We are not taking chances this year,” she warned.
She emphasized that the inputs would be distributed strictly to verified farmers, including community stakeholders and traditional leaders directly involved in farming activities.
“We’re targeting real farmers. We’ll share it word for word. With this, we’ll increase our food output and have surplus by next season,” she assured.
In her keynote address, Commissioner Iyioku praised the proactive efforts of the Ezza South Chairman in supporting local agriculture, particularly the establishment of council-owned farms.
She called on Development Centre Coordinators across the state to emulate the Ezza South model.
The Commissioner also unveiled a reward scheme to honor high-performing councils and development centres at the upcoming state agricultural show during harvest season.
“We are not only encouraging farming—we are institutionalizing agricultural excellence. This administration will continue to back initiatives that ensure food security and long-term economic growth,” she said.
She reaffirmed Governor Nwifuru’s vision of positioning Ebonyi as the food basket of the nation, emphasizing the pivotal role of local governments in realizing that goal.
The event was capped up by the symbolic handovers of inputs to selected farmers and traditional rulers, marking the start of a new farming season characterized by renewed commitment, community accountability, and the hope of a bountiful harvest in Ezza South.
